Author Laura Powell

Salads Perfect for the 4th of July

If you are headed to a Fourth of July cookout and you have been asked to bring a salad, the big question is, what to bring? You want something to “wow” those attending and not be the usual cut watermelon or potato and macaroni salads. You want your salad to bring as much color and flavor to the plates as the fireworks. You also want people to be dying to ask you for the recipe!

Well, today I am here to solve your dilemma just in time for the cookout! I have three new salad recipes that will add a spark to your cookout menu. Even though these salads are different, they still use ingredients that you probably have on hand or are can easily find at your local grocery store.

First up is a salad with a Mexican flair. It can definitely bring the heat to the party. This one uses an ingredient that some of you may not be familiar with: jicama, which is also known as a Mexican turnip. It kind of looks like an over-sized, oddly-shaped potato. To use it, just peel it just like a potato. The skin is very similar to the exterior of a ginger root. The inside is bright white, like a potato. Though some say it has a texture like a raw potato or pear, it reminds me of water chestnuts. The salad also includes regular Mexican food ingredients—corn, black beans, green onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, and jalapeno. The jalapeno just adds nice, low-level heat, but if you like it spicy, just add more.

Next is a pasta salad with a twist. It does include traditional ingredients like celery and onion, but gets a fresh new look with the addition of roasted red peppers and cilantro. It includes chopped-up dill pickle, and for some extra kick, you can use a spicy pickle variety.

Last up, take your friends and family to the Caribbean with a salad that brings together the flavors of the islands. The base is made of cooked rice and black beans. Then you mix in some red onion, different colored bell peppers, and fresh pineapple. Canned pineapple can be used in a pinch, but fresh is best for this salad. Finally, it gets dressed with flavors from Jamaican jerk spice mix: allspice, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, garlic, and thyme.

When you head to the party, help the hosts out by bringing your salad in a nice serving bowl, and don’t forget the serving utensils. You can even get some inexpensive disposable utensils to make life even easier!

In a large bowl, combine the jicama, black beans, green onion, corn, red pepper, and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over the salad ingredients and toss to coat.

In a large bowl, combine the rice, beans, pineapple, bell peppers, and onion. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined. Pour dressing over the rice mixture and toss to coat.

This post is part of the BlogHer Summer Entertaining series, which includes 100 percent editorial content presented by a participating sponsor. Our advertisers do not produce editorial content. This post is made possible by Home Depot and BlogHer.

Do you have any go-to salads for Fourth of July potlucks? Share your ideas in the comments below.